theology
Doctrinal studies addressing key themes in Christian belief through Scripture and sound exegesis.
Does Islam Promote Peace? Paid Members Public
My recent one-page article: "Islam: More than a Religion" has inspired a lot of emails—some positive, some negative. Whether you are for or against what I have written, I appreciate hearing from you. God has given me a deep love and a burden for Muslims. My wife
Addendum on Persecution: Fight or Flight? Paid Members Public
Addendum: Fight or Flight? James M. Arlandson After I finished the series on Pacifism and the Sword in the New Testament, someone wrote me these questions: What if the Church is targeted for persecution by the government or by large groups of extremists, but the government does not come to
Pacifism and the Sword in the New Testament: Summary Paid Members Public
Summary James M. Arlandson This article is the conclusion of the seven-part series on pacifism and the sword in the New Testament. The purpose of the series has been to bring clarity to many contradictory and confusing opinions circulating around the web and in the print media. Part One is
Questions and answers on pacifism and the sword Paid Members Public
James M. Arlandson Christians are commanded to love their enemies, so are Christian soldiers and police officers permitted to kill them? How can they maintain their witness about God when they may have to pull the trigger? Wasnt Jesus a pacifist? Wouldnt revelations guide the State better than reason? This
Should the State turn the other cheek? Paid Members Public
James M. Arlandson I have often heard confusing and confused uses of "turn the other cheek." The saying seems so imbalanced and out of touch with reality, as it circulates around the world, out of context and isolated. Someone gets punched, and he is told to turn the
Church and Stateand the Sword Paid Members Public
James M. Arlandson Confusion too often prevails over discussions on the relation between the Church and the State. Things get even more complicated when the swordmilitary and law enforcementis brought into the debate. Should the Church be a State of sorts, as it has in some parts of its history?
Officers, soldiers, and God Paid Members Public
James M. Arlandson According to the New Testament, is it possible to be honored by God and be a weapon-carrying soldier or law enforcement officer, at the same time? Does God approve of soldiers and officers of the State? Does he condemn the military? If not, may individual Christians serve,
Pacifism and the Sword in the Gospels Paid Members Public
James M. Arlandson Did Jesus endorse and encourage violence in the four Gospels, presumably a righteous kind of violence? Did he call his original disciples to this? Did he order all of his disciples to buy swords, really? Two verses may indicate that he did these things. Matt. 10:34